minstrel

Middle English menestrel, from Old French menestral (“entertainer, servant, official”) from Latin ministerialis (“servant”), from ministerium (“service”), from minister (“servant”). More at minister.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /mɪnstɹəl/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

minstrel (plural minstrels)

1. (historical) A medieval traveling entertainer who would sing and recite poetry, often to his own musical accompaniment.
2. (US) One of a troupe of entertainers who wore black makeup (blackface) to present a so-called minstrel show, being a variety show of song, dance and banjo music.

• 1885 — Gilbert & Sullivan, The Mikado

  A wandering minstrel I —

  A thing of shreds and patches,

  Of ballads, songs and snatches,

• (traveling musical entertainer): bard, folk singer, troubadour

• vaudeville